London Met is launching a public consultation on its exciting campus plans which could transform the local area.
Date: 1 March 2017
London Metropolitan University has exciting plans for its Holloway campus, and wants to hear people's thoughts about the proposals.
The University plans to open up its Holloway Road campus to the local community by creating a large accessible courtyard space at the heart of the Islington site. The proposals will enable students, staff and members of the community to pass through the campus between Holloway and Benwell roads.
The plans also include a two-floor extension to ‘J Block’ to create a new teaching and learning building, a refurbishment of the University’s Tower Building, and a new cafe open to the community. A theatre and exhibition space are also in the plans, which aim to create an inspiring learning and social environment for all of the University’s schools.
The investment project is part of the University’s One Campus|One Community initiative, which will see The Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design, currently based in Aldgate, and the Guildhall School of Business and Law, currently at Moorgate, relocate to the new Islington campus.
The central plaza at Holloway will be one of the largest open spaces in the area, and the University is also looking for ideas on how it can be used - from farmers’ markets to open air theatre performances.
The University is hosting two public consultation events in March to hear local people’s views.
Members of the public are invited to the University on Wednesday 8 March and on Saturday 11 March to view the plans in more detail and share their views on the proposals. University staff will be on hand to discuss the plans with visitors.
Professor John Raftery, Vice Chancellor of London Met, said: “We want to make London Met the capital’s community university. We want to strengthen our links with local people by making our cafes, libraries and exhibition spaces more open to the public and by bringing people together in an inspiring environment.
“These plans are also aimed at significantly enhancing the student experience at London Met, with the creation of new teaching and learning spaces and top class facilities here in Islington.”
There are a number of ways for people to share their views, says Phil Chapman, Director of Engagement at London Met.
“We want to include as many people as possible in our consultation so we’ve made several channels available,” he said. “People can email us at onecampus@londonmet.ac.uk, or they can attend one of our public events on Wednesday 8 March between 5pm and 8pm or Saturday 11 March between 10am and 1pm where they can provide comments. We’ve also put all the information about our proposals on our website and there is a Google+ community where people can share their thoughts and ideas.
“Given that some of our plans will transform the area, it’s important that local people are involved, so I would encourage as many people as possible to attend. We’re particularly keen to hear people’s views on how we can best use the new courtyard for the betterment of the local community.”
The proposals have been developed with the award-winning Design Engine Architects, who have worked on projects for The University of Oxford, London School of Economics, University of Southampton, University of Winchester, and Arts University Bournemouth.
Details
The consultation events will be held in The Graduate Centre, 166-220 Holloway Road, N7 8DB on Wednesday 8 March, 5pm-8pm and Saturday 11 March, 10am-1pm
Nearest tube Holloway Road.
Refreshments will be provided and guests are asked to book in advance if possible, although visitors are welcome to attend without booking.
